News story Marayke enters hall of fame

Marayke was inducted into the sunshine Coast Sporting hall of fame on November 27th, alongside longboard surfer Josh Constable. The hall of fame, housed at the University of the Sunshine Coast contains sporting Greats such as Lisa curry, clint Robinson, Brendan Burkett and Jeff Hardy.

Jonkers said she is honoured to be included on the wall alongside some of her childhood heroes.

“I distinctly remember being a young girl sitting in my pink wheelchair watching Clint Robinson win gold in Barcelona and knowing I wanted to one day represent Australia. Later on I found out about the Paralympics and gained two new role models in Paralympic swimmers Jeff Hardy and Brendan Burkett, who went on to become my teammates,” Jonkers said.

“It was one of those ‘pinch myself’ moments to have both Brendan and Jeff there as part of my induction ceremony.”

Jonkers’ citation was read out by former National Surf lifesaving champion and swimming coach Cr Jason O’Pray.

“We talk about living a full life but I tell you what you’ll struggle to beat this life. Our Marayke is not just a Sunshine Coast superstar and three-time Paralympian, she is a national treasure,” O’Pray said.

Jonkers used the opportunity to thank all members of ‘Team Marayke’ who helped her achieve her goals by inviting them to stand on stage with her as she accepted her plaque and citation.

“Through swimming, I’ve have had the opportunity to travel the world and have crowds cheer for me as I was awarded medals. But those medals belong to my coaches, personal trainer, physiotherapists, massage therapist and even my housekeeper, who all pulled together to allow me to focus on my training and achieve my full potential,” Jonkers said.

“This time, I want to share the stage with them, because every medal I have ever won, and even this Hall of Fame induction is every bit as much for them as it is for me.”

The Sunshine Coast Para-swimmer won a silver and two bronze Paralympic medals at three Paralympic Games. In 2008 she founded Sporting Dreams, a grants program aimed at helping the next generation of Paralympic athletes by providing funding grants towards equipment and competition expenses such as the purchase of racing wheelchairs.

Jonkers now works as a motivational speaker and conducts goalsetting and disability awareness workshops for business and school students.

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Testimonial

To be recognised and considered for the Sporting Dreams Grant, having already received an introductory grant in 2012, and now a Developmental Athletes Grant in 2014 is an honour and a privilege. I am thankful for organisations such as the Sporting Dreams. lf it was not for such associations that exist and care for disabled athletes they would never achieve their goals and dreams. There are many disabled athletes just as deserving as me and I thank you kindly especially Marayake Jonkers, you will always be an inspiration and a legend in my eyes.

Debra McGary- Lawn Bowls

Sporting Dreams helps inspire athletes by supporting and acknowledging disabled athletes aspirations. Attending the Ceremony showed me how many marvelous people there are striving to achieve their own personal goal. Sporting Dreams is important because it encourages you and helps you to chase your dream. I have competed in the State and National RDA (Riding for the Disabled ) championships this year. My Sporting Dreams grant enabled me to pay the entry fees for my horse riding competitions. Sporting dreams is important because it encourages you and helps you to chase your dream. Sporting Dreams helps inspire athletes by supporting and acknowledging disabled athletes aspirations.

Tarsha Tupper- Para Equestrian

“Sporting Dreams has been a great help to my family and I because they have provided money which has been very useful towards my sporting career travelling for big events, such as Nationals. I believe Sporting Dreams is important because it provides opportunities for young athletes to do what they desire. After my Sporting Dreams grant, I have achieved School Sport Australia National age champion 2 years in a row. I would like to thank Sporting Dreams for giving me the grant so I have been able to go on to achieve such amazing goals and opportunities.” Noah Robinson & Mum Sharon

Noah Robinson- Swimming

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TESTIMONIALS

To be recognised and considered for the Sporting Dreams Grant, having already received an introductory grant in 2012, and now a Developmental Athletes Grant in 2014 is an honour and a privilege. I am thankful for organisations such as the Sporting Dreams. lf it was not for such associations that exist and care for disabled athletes they would never achieve their goals and dreams. There are many disabled athletes just as deserving as me and I thank you kindly especially Marayake Jonkers, you will always be an inspiration and a legend in my eyes.

Debra McGary- Lawn Bowls

Sporting Dreams helps inspire athletes by supporting and acknowledging disabled athletes aspirations. Attending the Ceremony showed me how many marvelous people there are striving to achieve their own personal goal. Sporting Dreams is important because it encourages you and helps you to chase your dream. I have competed in the State and National RDA (Riding for the Disabled ) championships this year. My Sporting Dreams grant enabled me to pay the entry fees for my horse riding competitions. Sporting dreams is important because it encourages you and helps you to chase your dream. Sporting Dreams helps inspire athletes by supporting and acknowledging disabled athletes aspirations.

Tarsha Tupper- Para Equestrian

“Sporting Dreams has been a great help to my family and I because they have provided money which has been very useful towards my sporting career travelling for big events, such as Nationals. I believe Sporting Dreams is important because it provides opportunities for young athletes to do what they desire. After my Sporting Dreams grant, I have achieved School Sport Australia National age champion 2 years in a row. I would like to thank Sporting Dreams for giving me the grant so I have been able to go on to achieve such amazing goals and opportunities.” Noah Robinson & Mum Sharon

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This May be of help for any athletes and 18 who have had to travel to a state national and international event ...

Do you know an athlete or official under the age of 18 who has attended a state, national or international competition in the last six months? They may be eligible to apply for the Young Athletes Travel Subsidy. See the website for more information including eligible events: www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/athletes/yats

Congratulations to Queensland’s first winter Paralympic gold medallist snowboarder simon Patmore on winning gold yesterday- our first since Michael Milton back in 2002. Amazing transition from athletics to winter sport. Amazing 😉 story from a sporting dreams alumni whose hard work paid off after winning bronze in athletics in London while competing injuries. Unfortunately Channel Seven has decided not to broadcast the games live so your only chance to see there is a 11 AM till 12 PM today on 7mate or 11:30 PM on channel 7 paralympian #snowbording #7showparalympicslive #paralympian ...